Ammunition-hoist.



J. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-12, IQIZ- 1,148,081 Patented July 27, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

coLuMnm ILANOGRAIII co.,wAsmNGTnN. D. c.

J. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 1912.

Patented July 27, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 2.

:QLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

J. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912.

Patented July 2?, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.l. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912.-

Patented July 27, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

2. 25 I /w a if Z04? $76 CQII-UMBIA P'LANOGRAP C0,, WASHINGTON, D- C J. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.12, 1912. 1 148 081 Patented July 27,1915.

9 8 SHEETSSHEET 5.

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4 V 3 M? 7 I'M 4 7 f u "u COLUMBIA PLANOGRAIII co., wAsmmfl'oNv D. c.

J. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912.

Patented July 27, 1915.

' 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c

MAW

1. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 1912.

Patented July 27, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60.. WASHINGTGN. D. c.

J. T. COWLEY.

AMMUNITION HOIST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 1912.

1,148,081- Patented July 27, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8v COLUMBIA PLANOGRAI'H CO.,WASHINOTDN, n. c.

D STATES PATENT curios.

JAMES T. COWLEY, 0F MINOT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR TO THE LAMSONCOMPANY, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AMMUNITION-BOISE Application filed March 12, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES T. COWLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minot, county of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ammunition- Hoists, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates particularly to ammunition conveyers or hoists of that type used for transferring ammunition from the iandling room to the turret by driving it through a conveyor tube by direct air pres sure, but the invention is applicable also to transferring ammunition or the like from one point to another either on board ship or on land.

The especial object of the invention is to provide an apparatus by which the heavy shells for large guns may be handled rapidly and safely by simple and durable means.

The general features of the apparatus shown herein are as follows: The shells are loaded into the conveyer tube in the handling room so as to rest upon and be driven by a pusher with the shell driven butt foremost, a swinging tube section or barrel being used as a convenient means for opening the tube and receiving the shell for loading. The pusher and shell thereon are driven through the tubeby pressure air from'a blower or pump and, on reaching the turret, the pusher is stopped in the tube and the shell delivered from the tube onto cushioning table or similar receiver. The pressure air then is out OK and the pusher may be returned by gravity alone, when the tube is substantially vertical, but even when gravity would return the pusher, the air connections preferably are reversed upon the delivery of the shell and suction applied below the pusher to hasten and assure its return through the tube, and means are provided for securing air cushioning beneath the pusher as it reaches its loading position.

single conveyer tube may be used for two guns or an entirely separate system for each gun, but preferably two guns in the same turret are served by two hoist tubes connected with the same blower for use of the pressure air alternately in the two tubes, and a system of interlocking.connections is Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 27, 1915.

Serial No. 683,335.

provided, by which danger of interference 1n operation of the two tubes is avoided.

Provision preferably is made for safeguarding against the sending of ammunition until the turret or other receiving station is ready to receive it, and against the introduction of ammunition at the sending station until the pusher has returned to proper position for loading, and other safety devices are preferably employed to aid in securing safety with high operating speed.

The safety devices preferably used are as follows :The loading section or barrel at the sending station is preferably locked in line with the tube on the opening of the air valve and during transit and the return of the pusher, and is unlocked for opening the tube on the return of the pusher to loading position. The air valve mechanism is locked on its operation for despatch of ammunition, so as to prevent a second despatch operation until the previous transit is completed and the shell removed from the receiving table, and the air valve mechanism also is locked against operation when the conveyer tube is open, so that the air valve cannot be opened during the loading operation or until the loading section or barrel is in position for transit. In the case of the two interlocking hoist tubes, the operation of the air valve mechanism of one hoist for despatch locks the air valve mechanism of the other hoist against operation, and this locking is continued until the air valve mechanism of the hoist being operated is in proper position for the operation of the other hoist.

The same apparatus is used for returning the heavy shells from the turret to the handling room, and means are provided by which safety in this operation is secure, the loading section or barrel being locked in position to close the tube during the return operation, and unlocked to permit the opening of the tube for removal of the shell only after the pusher and shell are in proper position.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, there is illustrated a pneumatic ammunition hoist intended for large shells and embodying all the features of the invention in their preferred form, and this construction will now be described in detail and the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a diagram' matic side elevation of the apparatus and gun turret; Fig. 2 is a similar view looking to the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the sending terminal; Fig. 4C is a horizontal section on the broken line" of Fig. 8; Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section of the loading barrel; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 of Fig. 5 Fig. 6 is'a cross section on the line 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an elevation of the operating mechanism of the valve; Fig. '8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, taken from the opposite side and showing a portion of thesame valve operating mechanism with parts broken away to show the construction; Fig. 9-is an enlarged detail of a portion of Fig.- 7 Fig. 10 is a vertical central cross section of the air valve and its operating mechanism taken on the line 10 of Fig. 7, the lower part of the air valve being broken away; Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are views of the'air valve similar to Fig. 10 but showingthe valve in different positions;

Figs. 1a and 15 are'detail sections on the lines it and 15 of Fig. 9; Fig. 16 is a detail plan view of the interlocking devices be tween the valve operating shafts of the two hoists; Fig. 17 is an end elevation of one of the shafts shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a section on the line 18 of Fig. 17 Fig. 19is a detail of the barrel locking devices; Fig. 20

is a sectional elevation ofthe receiving terminal and upper end of the hoist tube. F igs. 21 and 22 are sections on the lines 21.and 22 of Fig. 20; Fig. 23 is a detail vertical section of the pusher in the tube; Fig. 24 is a cross section on the line 2% of Fig. 23; Fig. 25 is a sectionalelevation showing a modified form of air valve and operating devices therefor, the section being taken centrally through the valves of the two hoists, and showing one valve in normal position and the other in position for despatch-- ing a shell; Fig. 26 is a view similar to. Fig. 25, showing one valve in position to send up a pusher for returning a shell; Fig. 27 is an enlarged detail section 011 the line 27 of Fig. 25; Figs. 28 and 29 are detail sections showing the despatch shaft locking devices of the two hoists; Fig. 30 is a detail view showing a modified form of the barrel locking device controlled by the pusher.

Referring to said drawings, and particularly to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 25, A, A, are the sending stations'of the two hoists located in the handling room from which the shells are transferred, B, the

conveyer tubes through which the shells are driven, and C the receiving stations, shown as located 1n the gun turret D,,1n proper position for supplying the two guns E. The

turret D is shown as mounted to rotate on bearings F as usual, and the sending stations A and the whole conveyer apparatus preferably rotate with the turret as shown,

pressor H and its motor I preferably being mounted on the underside of the turret, as

shown, and having the pressure or delivery pipe IQ and suctionjplpe L connecting with the valve mechanism at the sending stations.

as hereafter described. It willbe understood,

however, that the blower or compressor and its motor need not be carr ed by the turret, but may be stationary and have any 8111i able pos itionqandconnections for supplying the conveyer-and permitting the turret to' rotate. The two hoists, each having a sending station A, tube-B, and receiving station 0, are identically the same in construction and operation except a detail difference in the valve casings, noted hereafter,

and a detailed description of ,one of the these hoists and the interlocking devices be tween the two hoists will suffice, the same reference being applied to corresponding parts in the two hoists.

Referring now to the lower or sending portion of the apparatus, the sending sta tion A has a loading section or barrel M forming the lower closed end of the tube 13 and mounted ontrunnions 10 to swing from its'sending position in line with the tube to its loading position in line with cradle 11,; supported in a fixed position on the rotating frame. One of these trunnions is hollow to-form an air passage through which air connection is made with passage 12 extending longitudinally to the lower closed .end

of thebarrel and'communicating with chamber below spring supported cushioning plunger 141, from which chamber the air passes into thebottom of the barrel through ports closed by spring closed check valves 15 opening upward, and passage 12 connects i also with the barrel above the cushioning cylinder through ports 16. The other trunnion 10 is provided with a barrel operating handle 17. The barrel is held in its sending and loading positions respectively by. spring pressed latches a, 7) coacting with abutment 0 at the upper endof the barrel and oper ated to release thebarrel by handles cl; The

barrel carries at its upper end a locking plate 18 curved on the line of rotation of the barrel and provided with a locking notch 19 and locking opening 20 coactingwith the locking devices described hereafter. A dash pot 90-to. cushion the movement .of the barrel with the shell into sending position is preferably provided.

At the rear of the barrel is mounted the valve casing N in which moves the pres sure valve 0 and suction valve P. The

pressure valve 0 controls ports in casino N by which the cas ng communicates with the pressure chamber under pressure pipe K through pipe 21, with the barrel trunnion through pipe 2 and with the discharge through pipe 23, which discharge may be to the atmosphere, in any suitable manner.

The suction valves P through suitable ports control the connection of the valve casings with the atmosphere and with suction pipe L through pipe 24, with the barrel trunnions through pipes 25, and with pipe 26 connecting the two casings, the pipe 24 of one of the casings being connected to the blower suction pipe L and the other to the atmosphere, as shown in Fig. 4. The valve shown in Figs. 10 to 13 is that in which pipe 24 connects to the atmosphere. The valve and casing construction of the other hoist tube, in which pipe 2-1- connects to suction pipe L is exactly the same as shown in these figures, except that the partitions .1 are reversed, so as to connect pipe 25 to pipe 24 through valve P and close pipe 26, when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 13.

The pressure valve 0 is actuated by stem '27 passing through the hollow stem 28 of suction valve 1 so that the two valves may be moved together or separately. The suction valve stem 28 is connected to a vertically moving head 29 carrying a rack 30 by which it is raised, and a stop 5, preferably spring seated by spring 31, as shown, which stop 6 coacts with pivoted latches f and g mounted to swing separately. The arm carrying latch g is fixed on shaft 32 which has an operating arm 33, by which it is rocked against the pressure of spring 1 (Fig. 10) by stem 34 of pressure piston The arm carrying latch f is loose on shaft 32, and this arm on the opposite side of the pivot carries a toe h forming a trip and moved against the pressure of spring 1 (Fig. 8) by trip 2' having one end engaging the latch f and the other extending over and actuated by stem 36 of piston 37 spring pressed downward byspring 38. The two pistons 35, 37 move in cylinder 39 with fluid connections described hereafter. Stem 27 of pressure valve 0 has at its upper end a catch block 7 moving in slotted standards on head 29 and with which block coacts a spring pressed pivoted latch Z, carried by the head and having at its lower end a toe m coacting with trip It. This catch block also carries pins 2 which move in an inclined slot in arms 40 connected as hereafter described.

Two valve operating shafts are provided, a despatch shaft 41 for sending shells to the turret and a return shaft 42 for lowering shells from the turret, these shafts being operated by handle 43 which may be placed on one or the other. Despatch shaft 41 carries pinion 44 engaging rack 30 to raise head 29 on valve stem 28 during the first part of a revolution of the shaft and then, by the omission of teeth on the pinion, to release the rack, so as to allow the rack and head with the valves to remain suspended and drop independently of the despatch shaft. Despatch shaft 41 is locked against a second operation until the return to normal position of head 29 by locking pin n entering a hole in looking disk 3 on the despatch shaft when the shaft has made a full revolution, this pin 1?. being spring pressed upward by spring 44 and normally held downward against the spring pressure by rack 30 engaging arm 45 on rock shaft 46, this rock shaft 46 carrying also arm 47 having catch 0 at its end, and the rock shaft 46 being spring pressed to rock its arms 45, 47 upward by spring 4. Despatch shaft 41 is locked also by spring pressed locking pin p carried by a two armed locking device 48 and engaging locking disk 5 on shaft 41. The locking device 48 has one arm fixed on rock shaft 49 and one arm loosely sleeved on shaft 52, and is normally spring pressed to hold pin 79 in position to release the disk and moved against the spring pressure to lock the disk by arm 50 loosely mounted on shaft 49 and engaged by toe g on shaft 42, which shaft 42 carries arms 40 previously described as operated by valve stem 27 through pins 2. Arm 50 is spring pressed by coil spring 6 against movement by toe 9. Another toe 7 on one of the arms 40 on shaft 42 actuates arm 51 fixed on shaft 52 which extends across to the other hoist and carries a lug s engaging the other arm of locking device 48, this construction being duplicated at each end of the shaft 52, so that the despatch shafts of both hoists are locked by the operation of the valves of either hoist and until the return of the valves to normal position, when the release of the arms 50, 51 by the toes 1", as shaft 42 rotates to normal position, releases the locking devices-4S and stops 1) of both hoists from control by shaft 42. The shaft 32 carries an arm which is connected by link 53 with an arm on shaft 49, (see Fig. 3) lost motion being provided in the link for operating the shaft 49 by piston 35, so as to control shaft 49 and its locking device 48 by the load after their release by shaft 42.

Despatch shaft 41 carries two locking disks, a disk 54, fixed on the shaft, and a disk 55, loose thereon. These locking disks 54, have a portion of their surface cut away on a curve corresponding with looking plate 18, and in the normal position of the despatch shaft 41 stand with these curved surfaces above locking notch 19 in plate 18. Disk 54 engages and rotates disk 55 by spring 7 secured to lugs 8 on the disks, and the sleeve carrying disk 55 carries catch t coacting with catch 0 to hold the disk 55 in its rotated position until it is released by catch 0 to permit disk 55 to be returned to'normal position by spring 7 when rock shaft 4% is rocked on the return of the valve to normal position. The despatch shafts n of the two hoists carry also at their adjacent ends locking disks 56, each provided with a cam notch on their ad- ]acent surfaces COZLOlJHIg'Wlth sliding looking 1317116 to lock one shaft-against rotation except whenithe other is in normal position.

' The barrel M is also locked in normal position during despatch and the return of the pusher by locking pin 12 entering opening 20 in the barrel, this pin 4) being controlled by the pusher to lock the barrel as the pusher passes up from the, barrel and release thebarrel as it returns, through trip 58 carried by spring pressed shaft 59 and having one trip arm projecting into the tube B in the path of the pusher and another arm engaging shoulders on pin 12 to throw the pin in opposite directions, the locking pin 4) being held in barrel locking and unlocking position by spring pressed pm 60, as shown in Figs. '5 and 5 The barrel M is preferably locked in normal position during the return of a shell by locking pin 9' normally held out of position to lock the barrel and pressed into the path of catch a to lock the catchby a piston on a. pin working in small cylinder 2 connected by pipe 57 to the pressure chamber of valve casing N. i The escape of air at the desired rate in lowering a shell is provided for by pipe 91 connecting with the tube above, the barrel by ports 92, and provided Wltll a valve 93 shown as arotating valve normally closed by a coil spring on its stem and oper ated by a handle 9% outside the pipe 91.

Referring now to the receiving station, the tube B is open at theupper end to de liver the shell upward against a curved guide cap 70, the under surface of which directs the shell to a horizontal position against buffer 95 onto rocking table 71 with a stop shoulder wcoacting with spring stops on the pusher and is notched below the shoulder to permit the stops to sprlng outward to engage the shoulder. An air escape pipe 77 controlled by an outwardly opening check valve 9 connects w th pipe 78 communicating with the bottom of cylinder v 89 previously described,'below the pressure piston Pipe 79 extends from the pressure pipe-K to valve chamberSO, which communicates with pipe 78 through a port controlled: by valve 00 connectedby a link to 'moval of the shell.

piston 37 in cylinder 39 is connected by pipej lever 81 operated through spring pressed plunger 82 bythe table 71 when depressed by a shelhsoas to open valve w and connect pipes 79, 7 8, and close valve 00 by the rising of plunger 82 when the table rises on the re- The chamber above 83 to the trunnion pipe 25 of valve casing N.

The pusher It, shown in; detail in Figs. 23 and 2: consists of a body concaved at its forward end to receive-the point end of the shell, and having; on the side a series of spring pressedpivoted stops 1 held within the pusher by the tube B duringtransit, as

shown by Fig. 23, but swinging out into the 7 tube notches to engage stop shoulder w at the top of the tube. These stops 3 are mounted by pivot belts in metal sleeve 84 slidingly mounted on the pusher body and held in po-' sition longitudinally of'the pusher by cushion ring85 of suitable material behind the sleeve 8 which cushions the pusher on stopping'at the top of the tube, and by packing ring 85'' on the opposite side of the ring. The rear portion of the pusher 1s hollow to receive the cushioning plunger 14 in the barrel and pro-= vided with a split packingring 86 held in place by shoulders on the pusher body and a ring secured thereto, this split packing ring being expanded by flat springs 87 behind it to close the tube behind the pusher and secure the desired piston action under i the pressure air.

The operation of the'apparatus in sending shells from the handling room to the turret is as follows :'Assuming that all the parts are intheir normal position, as shown in all the views except Figs. 12 and 13, the

barrel M of one of the hoists is released by turninghandle (Z to move catch at out of the pathof the abutment 0 on the barrel, and

the barrel is rocked on its trunnions by handle 17 to move its upper open end outward from the cradle a shell which is shoved into the barrel point first so that the pointed end rests in the cavity in the body of the pusher It in the bottom of the barrel.

the shell having been loaded into the barrel, catch 6 is released by moving its handle cl, and the barrel M is rocked back byhandle 17 to normal position, in which catch a again locks it by engagement with abutment 0.

Despatch shaft 41 is now turned a complete rotation by handle 48, thus lifting head 29 by gear a4: and rack 30, so as to raise suction valve P by stem 28 connected to the head, and at the same time raise pressure valve by engagement ofcatch Z with catch block 7-:-on valve stem 27 the valves thus being raised from the position shown inFig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12, and thehead 29 brought into position for catch 6 to seat on latch thusholding the head 29 and valves.

The barrel is held in line with the cradle by catch 1) and,

into line with the cradle 11, so as to receive 7 raised when the rack 30 is released by broken gear 44 during the latter part of the rota tion of despatch shaft 41. This rotation of shaft 41 at its commencement rotates disk 54 fixed to it, so as to move its cut-away portion out of notch 19 in barrel plate 18 and thus lock the barrel against movement out of line with the tube during rotation of the shaft, and through spring 7 connecting the disks rotates also disk 55 so as to move its cut-away portion out of notch 19 until lug t on the hub of disk 55 is brought into position to be caught by catch 0 on arm 47 when shaft 46 is released by the raising of head 29 from arm 45, the catch 0 then holding the disk in position with its cut-away portion out of the notch 19 in barrel plate 18, and locking the barrel against movement out of line with the tube B while lug t is held by catch 0. Despatch shaft 41 in completing its rotation after the engagement of catch 0 and lug t winds up the spring 7, putting it under such tension that when catch 0 is released spring 7 turns disk until it is stopped in normal position by engagement of lugs 8 on disks 54, 55.

The lifting of head 29 by rotation of despatch shaft 41 releases arm 45 on shaft 46, which shaft is then rocked by spring 4 to raise arms 45, 47, and pin a isthen thrown up by spring 44 so as to enter the hole in looking disk 3 on shaft 41 and lock the shaftagainst rotation until the dropping of head 29 lowers arm 45 and withdraws pin n from the hole, that is, until the suction valve P has returned to normal position. The lifting of block is on stem 27 rocks shaft 42 by pins 2 moving in the slotted arms 40,

.so that toe 'q/ by engagement with arm 50 rocks the arm against the pressure of coil spring 6. and rocks shaft 49 to move the locking device 48 inward from the position shown in Figs. 10 and 14, so that locking pin 72 engages the hole in looking disk 5 on shaft 41 and locks the shaft against rotation during such engagement, that is, until the pressure valve 0 is returned to normal position and shaft 49 released by link 53. The despatch shaft 41 is thus locked against rotation until the return of the valves and other parts to normal position, and this rotation of the despatch shaft 41, also looks the despatch shaft of the other hoist against rotation until such return, so that'there can be no operation of the other hoist until the parts are in proper position for sending a shell. This result is secured by the cam notch on disk 56 of the despatch shaft 41 operated forcing locking pin a into the notch on disk 56 of the despatch shaft of the other hoist, sons to lock the other despatch shaft at the commencement of the rotation of the shaft 41, and this locking is continued until the notches in the two disks 56 are brought opposite each other at normal position by the return of the air I valves of the hoist operated.

The lifting of pressure valve 0 from the normal position, shown in Fig. 11, to that shown in Fig. 12, changes the connection of pressure pipe K of blower H through pipe 21 from the discharge pipe 23 t0 the trunnion pipe 22 leading to hollow trunnion 10 of barrel M. The raising of suction valve P from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that. shown in Fig. 12, does not change the connection of suction pipe L of blower H to the atmosphere, but only positions the valve for connecting the blower suction with the barrel trunnion on the partial dropping of the suction valve, as hereafter described. The valves are now in the position in which the blower draws in air from the atmosphere through valve. casing N and pipes 24, 26 and L and forces the air through pipes K v and 21, the valve casing, and'pipe 22, and iollow trunnion 10 into chamber 12 on barrel M, and downward to the end of the barrel under the pusher R where it passes check valves 15 to the under side of the pusher and,

starts the pusher and shell thereon upward pusher passing side ports 16 by the air entering through the latter ports. The pusher and shell are now driven by the pressure air from the blower K through tube B to the turret, and on reaching the top of the tube 13 the shell is delivered butt foremost guided by the curved surface 70 so as to fall 011 to the rocking table 71 with its delivery cushioned by spring dash pot 73, while the pusher R is stopped at the top and within the tube by the stops z springing out to engage stop 10 when the catches come opposite the notches in the inner wall of the tube.

When the rear end of the pusher R passes pipe 77, the pressure air behind the pusher escapes through check valve 9 and passes through pipes 77, 78 to the under side of piston 35 in cylinder 39, thus raising this piston, which through stem 34 and arm 33 rocks shaft 32 to move latch g to the right in Fig. 10, thus releasing catch 0 then seated upon latch and permits head29 to fall, and at the same time by toe h engaging trip at on latch Z rocks latch Z out of engagement with catch block 'l" on valve rod 27, the raising of plunger thus releasing both the pressure and suction valves from the catches which they are held raised. This raising.

of stem 34 and rocking of shaft 32 also moves links 53 so as to hold shaft 49 in po "sitionto lock the despatch shaft independently ofshaft 42. The valves then fall from v the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 13 in which the pressure valve is in normal position, so as to cut off the pres sure air from the tube B and connect pressure-pipe K of blower H to the atmosphere through pipes 21, 23. Suction valve P and head 29, however, do not fall to their normal position but are stopped afterdropping part way by the engagement of catch '6 with latch 7, so that thesuction valve is brought into osition to connect the suction iae Li g of blower H to trunnion 1O of barrel M throughpipe 26, valve casing N and pipe 25, thus putting the blower suction on to tube 13. This is the suction connection for the hoist tube of which, the valve casing and valve are shown in. Figs. 10 to 13. On the other hoist tube the suction connection,

when its valve P is in the position shown in Fig. 13, is made directly to suction pipe L through pipe 25, valve P and pipe 24. This suction in the tube B aids in assuring the rapid return of the pusher R down the tube 13 into the barrel M, and the pusher now descends, being, cushionedin the bottom of the barrel by closing the side port 16 as it reaches the bottom, and by the spring cushioning plunger 14 and closing of valves 15 3 leading into cylinder 13. 1

When the suction of the blower II is 7 closed by thepusher reaohingthe bottom of barrel M, the blower produces a partial vaeuunrin the suction connections, which,

fto

by pipe 83 connected to suction pipe 25 is transmitted to cylinder 39 above the spring pressed piston37, the spring pressure on this piston 87 being suflicient to hold it down when suction is on the tube B and above piston 37, but not under the lower pressure *when'the pusher has reached the bottomof the barrel. The piston 37 now moves upward against the, pressure of spring 38 and by' its stem 36 rocks trip 2' so as to move the catch -f to the right from the position shown in Fig.10, and thus releases catch 6 and permits head 29 andsuction valve P to fall to their normal position, in which the suction pipe L of blower H is again connected to the mal position of head 29, secured by the return of the pusher, depressing arm 45 and rocking shaft 46, so as to lower arm 47 and catch 0, and thus releasing-lug 2," and disk '55 and permitting the latter to be returned by spring 7 r to normal position with its cutaway portion opposite notch 19 in looking plate 18, so that this plate may be moved along the curved surface of the cut-away portion ofdisks 54, 55 in swinging the barrel to loading position. This return of the pusher and full dropping of, head 29, also withdraws locking pin 11,- from looking disk 3 on despatch shaft 41 so that the latter may be rotated for despatch when the other parts are in proper position. The possibility of opening the tube by swinging the barrelM while the pusher is out of the barrel-is preferably prevented, also, so as to avoid such opening of the tube in case the pusher should not return, although the blower might produce a vacuum so, as toimov'e piston 3'? upward, as abovedescribed. This result is secured by locking pin 1) and trip 58. As the pusher leaves the barrel it engages the arm of trip 58 within the tube B and rocks shaft 59 against its spring. so-as to throw the other arm of the trip 58 downward and, 1

by engagement with the lower shoulder on pin 4), push the pin downward from the position shown in Fig. 5 into opening '20 in barrel M,so astolock the barrel against movement. The rock shaft 59 and trip '58 are then returned to normal position by the shaft spring, leaving the pine in barrel locking position until the pusher returns into the barrel, when itfrocks trip 58 in the I opposite direction'so as to raise locking 'pin '1; out of theopening 20'and into the position shown in Fig. 5, releasing the barrel.

Despatch cannot take place until the shell isremoved from thetable 71 and the table- 1s in position to receive another shell, al- 5 though the air valve mechanism has been returnedto position as above described. The means shown for securing this result are as follows't-VVhen the table 71 is depressed the shell delivered from the tube B, the plunger 82 is forced downward rocking le-' ver81so as to shift valve 00" to connect pipes- 79 and 78 and pressure air from pressure pipe K passes through pipe 7 9 to pipe 7 8 and thus to the under 'side of the piston 35 in cylinder 39, holding this piston raised, notwithstanding the'fact that the tube B is now under suction for the return of the pusher. The stem 34 of piston 35, thus held raised, through link 53 connected to the arm on "shaft 49 holds the locking'device 48 in position with the pin p locking the disk 5 on des-" patch shaft 41 so that'the despatch shaft cannot beoperated until the stem 34 is lowered. This position of the parts, with the "despatch shaft of the tube just operated locked against operation continues until the duced to the conveyer tube pressure. Plunger then falls to normal position and, through arm 33 and rock shaft 32, withdraws link 53 so as to permit shaft 19 to return to normal position so as to release pin p of locking device 48 from disk 5 on despatch shaft 11 to permit another operation of the despatch shaft, after a shell has been loaded into the barrel and the barrel returned to despatching position, as above described.

The operation of the two hoists without interference will be understood from the above description and a brief statement. The shell may be loaded into either hoist independently of the other at any time, but after the operation of the despatch shaft of one hoist, the despatch shaft of the other hoist is locked against rotation, as pre viously described, so that it cannot be operated for despatching a shell, until the valves in the hoist operated have been returned to normal position. Despatch in the other hoist, however, is possible immediately upon such return, so that despatch may occur in the other hoist while the shell is being removed from the receiving station of one hoist, and loading in the hoist which has delivered a shell is possible as soon as the pusher has been returned to position in the barrel. It is thus possible to send shells alternately in the two hoists with great frequency, the loading of one hoist proceeding during despatch in the other hoist, while at the same time the safety devices prevent any interference in despatching shells by the two hoists.

The operation of lowering shells from the turret to the handling room is as follows The handle 13 is transferred from despatch shaft 41 to return shaft 412, and, the pusher being in the barrel M, the return shaft 12 is rotated, and by slotted arms 40 engaging pins 2 on valve stem 27, raises pressure valve O to connect pipes 21, 22 and admit pressure air from pressure pipe K beneath the pusher, as previously described in connection with despatching shells, except that the pressure valve 0 is not raised to open the admission ports fully but only sufficiently to secure the desired result in sending up the pusher and holding it in position to support the shell when loaded into the upper end of the tube, shaft 42 and valve O being stopped in the proper position by an adjustable stop in head 29 above the end of valve stem 27, as shown. This rocking of shaft 42 by toes r acting on arms 50, 51 and through shafts 49, 52 also locks the despatch shafts 41 of both hoists by the locking devices 48 carrying the pins p, as previously described, so thatv neither despatch shaft t1 can be turned until shaft 42 and valve 0 are returned to normal position. The pusher is now driven by the pressure air to the top of the tube B, and stopped by the engagement of stops y with stop shoulder 'w, the pusher thus being held at the top of the tube by the pressure air below it. Lover 81 having been detached from valve .022, so that the latter will not be opened by the depres sion of table 71, a shell is placed upon the table, and the table then raised by handle 76 rotating shaft 75 to bring the table into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 20, in which position the shell slides downward off the table, point foremost, and onto the pusher R held at the top of the tube by the pressure air. Shaft 42 and pressure valve 0 are now returned by hand to normal position, and valve 93 is opened by handle 94 to allow the air to pass from the tube through pipe 91, the slow escape of air to secure the desired lowering speed being secured by throttling pipe 91, and the pusher and shell being cushioned at the bottom of the barrel by the closure of ports 16 and valves 15 and by plunger 14 as in lowering the pusher alone. During the lowering of the shell, the rotation of the barrel M out of line with the tube B is prevented by pin locking barrel catch a, the tube pressure being transmitted through pipe 57 to cylinder 2 and by locking pin 1 operating as on despatching above described. lVhen the pusher and shell have reached the bottom of the barrel, however, the pressure in pipe 57 is lowered and pin y withdrawn by its spring so as to release barrel catch a. Catch a is now released by handle (Z and the barrel swung downward into loading position in line with the cradle 11, and by rotating shaft 12, pressure valve 0 will be raised to again admit pressure air behind the pusher and force the pusher and shell outward to deliver the shell onto cradle 11. The above operation is repeated for each shell lowered.

If the blower suction is not to be applied I construction the air valve consists of the valve casing in'which moves the pressure 1 valve R and exhaust valve S, connected to move together. The pressure valve R con- I trols ports 100 connected through pipe 21 to the blower pressure pipe K, ports 101 'connected by pipe v22 to the barrel trunnion, and ports 102 connected by pipe 23 to the atmosphere. Pressure valve R also controls the'escapefof air to the atmosphere through pipe 103. The exhaust valve S controls ports 104 connecting with the tube B above the barrel by pipe 105,, which is connected with the barrel through pipe 91 109 to depress the pressure and exhaust valves. The valve stem 112 extending above valve casing Q is connected to head 29 carrying rack 30 engaged by pinion 44 on despatch shaft 41 so as to raise the valve as in I the construction previously described, and

in this modification the despatch shaft 41 and pinion 44 is used also to depress head 29 and the valves, as described hereafter. The despatch shaft 41 is rotated a full revolution for despatching, and in this construction is stopped in normal position bya spring pressed pin 113 entering an opening in the top of stop disk 3 on the despatch shaft. The head 29. and valves have only one raised position, so that only the catch 0 and latch f of the construction previously described, are used for holding the valves raised, this latch f being released by piston 35 and its connections as in the other construction. There is shown in. Fig. 27, also, a handle 114 which may be used for tripping latch by hand, arm 33 then moving upward on stem34 against spring 115. The

valve rod 112 carries a stop sleeve 116,

which is made adjustable, being shown as screwed into the head 29 for this purpose, this stop 116' engaging the top of valve casing Q, on the depression of the valves.

' All the above description applies to the valve mechanismsv of both hoists, these being duplicates. The devices for interlocking between the despatching shafts of the two hoists, also, are modified andvsimplified as follows: 'Across the valve mechanisms -of the two hoists extends a shaft 117 which has loose thereon at each end a sleeve 118 carrying an arm 119 engaging the under side of'head 29, and having pivotedthereto a locking pin a which enters locking disk 3 on shaft 41, as in the. construction previously described. I I spring pressed by coilsprings121 to throw thearms 119 upward. The shaft 117 has at each end a. key 122 moving in grooves in the inner surface of the sleeves 118, so that the 1 rotationv of each sleeve by its spring'121 will rock the shaft 117, but the shaft thus rocked will turn freely in the other sleeve 118' without moving it,-and' each sleeve -may be turned against the pressure of coilspring 121 without rotating the shaft. The shaft 117 carries also fixed thereto another arm 123for each despatch shaft, which arms 123 operate locking pins '11, engaging additional locking disks 3 I that the locking of the shaft 117' raises the locking pinsa andlocks both despat'chj shafts until the locking pins are withdrawn I by, the descent of head 29, with the Valves.

I The locking disks 56 and ca-m pin 10, also,

are used in this construction for locking one shaft while the other is rotated out of normal position; ,lVith this modified form the locking pine by which the pusher controls the locking-and unlocking of the barrel M, may be operated directly by the pusher, as [shown in Figs. 5 and 5 and previously described. An arrangementpreferably used in this modified construction is shown in Fig. 30, however, in which the pusher con- 'trols the locking pin '2) indirectly by air pressure, thus avoiding the jar and wear of the pusher upon trip 59. In this arrange- 'ment the locking pin 4) is ra sed and lowered by a differential piston 124 moving in cylinder 125, which cylinder is connected respectively by pipes 126, 127, above and below piston 124, to the tube B above the barrel, and to the barrel trunnion;

The operation of this modified construction shown in Figs. 25 to 30 will beunderstood from a brief description in connection with the drawings and the previous full description of the'construetion shown in Figs. 1 to 24. I

Assuming that both valves are in the po- .sition shown in connection with the valve at the left in Fig. 25 and in Fig. 27, the despatch shaft 41 of .the ho'ist at the right in Fig. 25, is turned a full romaon'to the left inFig 27, so asto raise head29 and valves R, S to the position shown at the right in 25, in which the catche is raised above and caught by the latch f, thus holding the valves raised so as to connect by valve R 'the blower'with the barrel trunnion pipe'22 through ports 100, 101, and admit pressure air for despatch, and'by valve S to close ports 106 of the valveoperated and prevent the escape of air below the pusher through ports 104, 106, when the pusher has passed above pipe' 91 and ports 92, the pressure air entering ports 104 passing through sleeve 108 and portsat the top of the stem into These sleeves 118 are on the despatch shafts, so

' shafts.

1,148, oer

spring 121', so as to move arm 1 19 and itslocking pin n upward into the opening in disk 3, and this rotation ofsleeve 1'18 by engagement of the wall of its groove with key' 122 on shaft 117, as. shown in Fig. 28, rocks shaft 117 so as to move arms 123 and raise the locking pins n carried thereby into looking engagement with disks 3- on their respective shafts 41, thus locking both clespatch valves of both hoists and their operating and locking mechanisms are now in the position shown in Fig. 25, and despatch is taking place in the hoist controlled by the right hand valve in that figure, they valve of the other hoist, at the left hand of Fig. 25, be ing now locked in normal position;

On the completion of the despatch movement the pressure air transmitted through pipe 78, as previously described, raises the plunger 85 and releases the latch from catch 6, and the dropping of head 29 returns the valves R, S to normal position, as shown at the left in Fig. 25, this dropping of head 29 through arm- 1'19 rocking sleeve 118 and shaft 117 so. as to withdraw the locking pins n from the locking disks 3 of both despatch shafts 41, leaving them free for another operation. The pusher falls by gravity, the air in tube B below the pusher passing out freely through ports 92, pipes 91, 1'05, and ports 104: through valve S and from ports 106 to the atmosphere, (the valve 93 being fixed open during despatcl'l'ing.) and when the pusher passes ports 92 and enters the barrel, the pusher is cushioned by the slow passage of the air from the barrel through the barrel ports, runn-ion ports 101 in the valve casing Q, and pipe 103,

which pipe is controlled by a valve adjusted so as to permit the escape of air only at the regulated speed, the pusher being further cushioned at the bottom of' the barrel by spring plunger 14 and closing of valves 15, as in the construction previously described. .Vhen the pusher passes ports 92, the pressure air admitted through pipe 126 above a piston 12% forces the piston down, and by locking pin v entering hole 20 looks the barrel against movement out of line with the tube B, and this locking is continued until the pusher enters the barrel M on its descent, when the increased pressure of the air in the barrel, caused by the descend- The sleeve 1 18 at the left hand end ing pusher, transmitted through pipe 127 below piston124, raises the piston and withdraws. locking pin 1) from opening 20to release the barrel, the pressure above piston 12% being then reduced to atmosphere by the pusherpassing below the ports 92'.

The operation ofreturning shells with this modified construction is as follows The pusher is sent to the top of the tube for receiving the shell, by rotating shaft 41 to the right in Fig. 27, thus by pinion -11 moving head 29 and the valves R, S downward, until stop 1 16 strikes the top of valve the position shown in F 26, in which the pressure valve It connects the blower with theba-rrel" trunnion through ports 100, 101, the ports 100 being opened only partially to secure the: pressure desired, as determined by the position of the stop 110", and the valve S is moved downward'to close ports 104 and prevent the escape of pressure air from the tube through ports 92. The closed upper disk of pressure valve R is brought below pipe 103, so that the connection of the blower with this pipe is closed; The valves are loweredinto this position against the tension of spring. 109, the top of the valve R engaging sleeve 111 to depress it against the spring pressure as the valves are lowered; The

pusher having been sent up and the shell loaded thereon, as previously described, the despatch shaft is rotated back to normal position and the valves R', S are returned to the positionshown at the left in Fig. 25. The spring 109 assures this return of the despatch shaft and valves on the release of the despatch shaft, in case the attendant neglects to rotate the shaft to return the valves; The pusher and shell are then lowered, the escape of air at the desired rate, until the pusher reaches the barrel M, being secured by hand adjustment of' valve 93, and the pusher and shell being cushioned within the barrel by the slow escape of air through pipe 103, and by the cushioning devices at the bottom of the barrel, as previously described. The shell and pusher being in the bottom of the barrel, the latter is swung down into position for delivering the shell on to cradlell, and the despatch shaft 4-1 is again rocked to the right in Fig. 27' and back again, so as to admit pressure air behind the pusher sufliciently to deliver the shell. The operation of the barrel locking pin 1) and piston 124 is the same in returning shells as in despatching.

It will be understood that the invention is ports arranged to be closed by the pusher on' 1..The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, and meansv for automatically separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement and returning it unloaded through the tube to the sending station.

pusher in the tube on the completion of its load driving movement while permitting the load-to pass onward for delivery and permitting the stopped pusher to return through the tube to the sending station, and means for reversingthe current of air in the tube for returning the pusher.

4:. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tuba means for stopping the pusher'in the tubeon the completion of its load driving movement while permitting the load to pass onward for delivery and permitting the stopped pusher to return through the tube to the sending station, means for controlling the pressure in the tube to secure the return of the stopped pusher, and air its return for cushioning; r

5. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and a blower or pump for forcing air through the tube under pressure to drive the load, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the: pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, and means for automatically connecting the suction of the pump to the tube for returning the pusher.

6. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and a blower or pump for forcing air through the tube under pressure to drive the load, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for sepa rating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, means 7 for automatically connecting the suction of the pump to the tube to reverse the air ourrent for returning the pusher, and means controlled by the pusher. to stop thereverse currentwhen the'pusher has returned to the sending station.

;7. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and its {L111 valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher normally reciproeating to and fro in the tube when in use, means for automatically separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load drivingmovement, and means for controlling the air valve mechanism to per% mit ot the return movement of the pusher.

8.. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and its air valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for automatically separat ing the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, and means for controllingithe air valve mechanism to reverse theair currentin the tube for returning the pusher.

9. The combination with 1 a pneumatic conveyer tube and its air valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, means for controlling the air valve mechanism to reverse the air current in the tube for returning the pusher and means controlled by the pusher for stopping the reverse current when the pusher has returned to the sending station. I

10. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and its air valve mechanism, 7

of a load driving pusher reciprocatingin the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, means for controlling the air. valve mechanism to stop the load driving air current, and means controlled by the load for preventing despatch of the pusher from the sending station. until the load is removed from the receiving station.

11. The comblnation' with a. pneumatic conveyer tube and an air supply and air valve mechanism,.of a load driving pusher.

reciprocating in the tube, means for automatically separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, and means for controlling the air valve mechanism to cut off the pressure air behind thepusher for the return of the pusherthrough the tube. V 7

12. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and an air supply and air valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher completion of its load driving movement, and means for controlling the air valve mechanism to .cut offthe pressure air b e-. hind the pusher for the return of the pusher through the tube and to return the valve mechanism to position for another despatch- .ing operation only when the pusher has rereciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the turned substantially to the sending stationf 13. The combination with a pneumatic conveyertube and an airsupply and air valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating'the' pusher from tl'ie loadon the comw pletionof its load driving movement, means for controlling the air valve mechanism to cut oil the pressure air behind the pusher for the return of the pusher through the tube and to return the air valve mechanism to position for another despatching operation when the pusher has returned to the sending station, and means controlled by the previous load for preventing despatch until the previous load is removed from the receiving station.

14. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and an air supply and air valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusherfrom the load on the comple tion of its load driving movement, a lock ing device for holding the air valve mechanism in position during transit, means for releasing said air valve mechanism to cut oil the pressure air for the return of the pusher, and means controlled by the pusher for returning the air valve mechanism to position for another despatching operation when the pusher has returned to the sending station.

15. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and an air supply and air valve mechanism, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement, a locking device for holding the air valve mechanism in position during transit,means for releasing said air valve mechanism to cut off the pressure air for the return of the pusher, means controlledby the pusher for returning the air valve mechanism to position for another despatching operation'when the pusher has returned to the sending station, a manually operated member for despatching loads, and means for preventing the operation of said member for despatch untilthe previous load is removed from the receiving station.

16. The combination with a pneumatic conveyor tube and its air supply, of a lead driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its lead driving movement and returning it through the tube to the sending station, a manually operated member for despatching loads, a locking devicefor locking saic member against despatching movement while the load is in transit and during the return of the pusher, and means for releasing said locking device by the return of the pusher to the sending station.

17. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement and returning it through the tube to the sending station, a manually operated member for despatching loads, a locking device for looking said member against despatching movement While the load is in transit and during the return of the pusher, means for releasing said locking device by the return of the pusher to the sending station, and means controlled from the receiving station for holding said member against despatching movement until the receiving station is ready to receive the load.

18. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the comple tion of its load driving movement and returning it through the tube to the sending station, a loading section at the sending station receiving the pusher, alocking device for locking said loading section closed during despatch and the return of the pusher, and means for unlocking said loading section by the return of the pusher.

19. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and its air supply, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement and returning it through the tube to the sending station, a loading section at the sending station receiving the pusher, a locking device for locking said loading sec- -tion closed during despatch and the, return of the pusher, means for unlocking said loading section by the return of the pusher, a manually operated member for despatching loads, and a locking device for locking said member against despatching movement when the loading section is open.

20. The combination with a pneumatic conveyor tube and itsair supply, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement and returning it through the tube to the sending station, a manually operated. member for despatching loads, a locking device for locking said member against despatching operation, and means controlled by the load for holding said locking device in position to prevent despatch while the load is in the receiving station and releasing said locking device when the load is re moved from the receiving station. 7

21. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and its air supply, of a load driving pusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the load on the completion of its load driving movement and returning it through the tube to the sending station, a manually operated member for dcspatching loads, a locking device for locking said member against despatching operation, means controlled by the pusher for holding said device locked during transit and the return of the pusher and, releasing the device when the pusher has returned to the sending station, and means for holding said member against despatching operation while the load is in the receiving station.

22. The combination Wlth' a pneumatic tion receiving the pusher, and a locking device holding theloading section closed and returning it through the tube to the;

during the load driving movement and released by the return of the pusher.

28. The "combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube and its air supply and despatch mechanism, of a load drivingpusher reciprocating in the tube, means for separating the pusher from the loadv on the completion of its load driving movement sending station, a loading sectionatthe sendingstation receiving the pusher, and a locking'device controlled by the pusher to I load, of pressure and suction valves for conlock the loading section closed while the, pusher is out of the loading section and -unlock the loading section on the return of the pusher. i I

24:. The combination with two pneumatic conveyer tubesv and current creating means forsaid tubes,of valve devices for connecting the current creatingmeans with either tube, and means for lockingjthe valve de vice of one tube against despatching operation during transit in the other tube.

25. 'The combination with two pneumatic conveyer tubes and load driving pushers reciprocating in said tubes to drive a load and return to loading position, of means'for preventing despatch of a load in one tube during transit in the other tube.

26. The combination with two pneumatic conveyer tubes anda single blower or pump for creating air currents in said tubes, of load driving pushers reci rocating in said tubes to drive a load and return to the sending station, separate air valves for connecting the pump with either tube, means for locking the air valve of V the other tube against operation on the despatch operation of the air valve of either tube, and means for releasing the air valve of the othertube on the return of the air valve of the tube operated.

A 27. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube, a pusher reciprocating in the tube, and a blower or pump-for forcing air through the tube under pressure to drive the necting the pressure and suction sides'of the blower with the tube, said valves being raised for despatching a load, catches for holding, said valves raised, means controlled by the load for releasing said catches for dropping the valves to cut' off. the pressure air, a catch stopping the dropped suction valve in position to connect the suction side of the blower. with the conveyer tube, and means controlled by the return of the pusher forv releasing valve. Y

:28. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube, apusher reciprocating in the tube and a blower or pump for forcing air' through the tube under pressure to 1 drive the load, of pressure and suction-valves for connecting the pressure and suction sides of the blower with th tube, meansfor opening the pressure valve for 'despatching a load, and means controlled by'the load for closing thepressure valve and moving the suction valve to connect the tube withithe suction side of the blower, when the load has reached the receiving station.

'29. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tube,-a pusher reciprocating in the tube and a blower or pump for forcing air through the tube under pressure to drive said catch to close the suction the load, of pressure and suction valves for j connecting the pressure and suction sides of the blower with the tube, ineans for opening the pressure valve for despatching a load,

means controlled by the load for closing the- 1 pressure valve an'd'moving the suction valve, .to connect thetube'with the suction side of the-blower when the load has reached the receiving station, and means controlled'by the returnof the pusher for closing said-suction valve.

80. The combination with a pneumatic conveyer tubeand its airv supply and air valve mechanism, of despatch shaft 41 opcrating said valve mechanism by a singlerotation and releasing said valve mechanism 1 at the end of the rotation, locking devices after a despatch rotation, and means for releasing said device by the return of the air valve mechanism to normal-position.

31. The combination with't'wo pneumatic conveyer tubes and a single air supply and air valve mechanismsforsaid tubes, of despatch shafts 4:1 for operating said air valve mechanisms, locking devices forholding the conveyer tubes and a single air supply and air valve mechanisms for tubes, oi": despatchv shafts'tl for operating said air valve mechanisms, locking devices for holding the other shaft against despatching operation when one shaft is operated for despatch,

means for releasing the despatch shaft of j the other tube by the return of thejair valve for locking the despatch shaft in'position" iie 

